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Entrance Exams

Undergraduate Placement Examinations

Music Theory Placement Examination:

This examination, which includes both written and ear-training components, is required of all junior college students and undergraduate transfer students who have not completed a four-semester theory sequence with an accredited NASM school. New freshmen (non-transfer) students who have received training in music theory may take the exam; however, new freshmen students are not required to take the exam. The subject material for each exam may be gleaned from the following sources:

This examination is given on the Friday prior to the first day of classes in the fall and spring semester. Advanced registration for the exam is not necessary; incoming students interested in taking the exam may simply arrive at one of the specific times and locations listed below:

Placement Examination for the piano proficiency requirements for the various music degrees is required of all new freshmen and transfer students. All students, except piano majors or piano emphasis students, MUST either enroll directly in PIAN 144 or sign up in advance for an appointment to take the placement examination during the time period listed below. Questions may be directed to the Professor Scott McBride Smith, 304 Murphy Hall, 785-864-1470, smcbsmith@ku.edu.

Fall 2015
Keyboard Skills Undergraduate Placement Exam: Friday, August 21, 2015, 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM in 404 Murphy Hall (Students will sign up in advance for an exam appointment to be held during this time period.)

Spring 2016
Keyboard Skills Undergraduate Placement Exam: Friday, January 15, 2016, 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM in 404 Murphy Hall (Students will sign up in advance for an exam appointment to be held during this time period.)

Graduate Diagnostic Examinations

All new graduate students except those in music education, music therapy, or M.M. opera are required to take the music history and music theory diagnostic exams. New graduate piano majors must also take an exam in piano literature.

Fall 2015 exams:Musicology

Wednesday, August 19, 2015, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The exam will be available online through Blackboard during this time. Students are encouraged to study a Music History textbook from their undergraduate courses as preparation for the Musicology diagnostic exam.

Music Theory

Thursday, August 20, 2015, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., 2023 Haworth Hall

A Practice Exam is available for those wishing to practice before the actual exam.

Piano Majors (New graduate student piano literature exam)

Wednesday, August 19, 2015, 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., 402 Murphy Hall

Spring 2016 exams:Musicology

Friday, January 15, 2016, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The exam will be available online through Blackboard during this time. Students are encouraged to study a Music History textbook from their undergraduate courses as preparation for the Musicology diagnostic exam.

Music Theory

Thursday, January 14, 2016, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., 123 Murphy Hall

A Practice Exam is available for those wishing to practice before the actual exam.